How to Help Your 2nd Grader Love Science

Imagine back in time a bit to your old school days. Did your science teacher just stand there and present you with a bunch of facts and figures? Was looking at the pictures in the textbook the most fun you had in your science class?

If you were bored in science, imagine how your child feels in 2nd grade science class. This is not because there is anything wrong with science or that science is boring. The problem is, that it is being introduced the wrong way.

Make Science Exciting

A textbook works great as a guide to learning science, but should try and do more to make science really exciting. Science experiments are by far the best way to get a child interested in science.

One fun and simple experiment you can try is to put a small seed in a cup, add some soil and watch the process of life as it grows and sprouts. Out of all the 2nd grade science curriculum on the market, my absolute favorite is Apologia Science. I have found Apologia to be the best at really making science fun and engaging for children.

Children love to be engaged, especially 2nd graders. Let a chick hatch from an egg and let your child care for and observe it. This will not only help your child learn about science, but also about life itself.

Children Need to Be Allowed to Think for Themselves

When a child asks you how something works, your natural instinct is to explain it to just explain it all to them. Instead of just telling them the answer. Why not help them discover the answer themselves? This way you can teach your child how to think for themselves and learn the answer at the same time.

For example, if your child is curious about what certain fish eat, you can ask a question like, ‘Well, what kind of snack do you think this fish likes the best?’ Tell them a bit about what is available under the water and let them discuss it with you.